Cairo, 18 October 2017 – Thirty-six officials from Egyptian government institutions, NGOs and the private sector registered for the second edition of the Certificate in Migration Governance, launched today by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and AUC’s Center for Migration and Refugee Studies (CMRS).

The New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2016, defines migration as a complex historic phenomenon. The certificate enhances the participants’ capacity to address this multifaceted phenomenon by providing a holistic overview of the challenges and opportunities manifested in contemporary forms of migration. The six modules are taught by AUC accredited professors and complemented by IOM experts, thus representing an unprecedented learning opportunity.

Twenty-four Egyptians from governmental and non-governmental institutions graduated from the first edition of the certificate in May 2017. Building on this success, the second edition includes a revamped curriculum incorporating the previous participants’ feedback and reflecting updates in migration research. The focus of the course is on the Egyptian context, complemented by highlights of best practices from the Middle East and North Africa.

“Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential when addressing great challenges, and migration is no exception. It is not possible, for example, to separate the conduct of foreign policy from national interests. No single ministry or governmental agency can deal with a phenomenon as multifaceted as migration on its own,” affirmed Mr. Amr Taha, Head of Office at IOM Egypt, adding that “the benefits of migration for development outweigh any other aspects. This is an ascertainable fact.”

Addressing the participants Ms. Carmela Godeau, IOM Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa said: “the Certificate that we are inaugurating is timely and essential in achieving the global objectives for a safe, humane and dignified governance of this phenomenon. You have been chosen as leaders in your respective Ministries – and communities – as we are confident that no one is better placed than you to ensure the advancement of migration governance in accordance to Egypt’s national priorities, and international obligations.”

In their speeches, Dr. Ibrahim Awad, Director of the CMRS, and H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Ghoneim, Deputy Assistant, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Refugees, Migration and Combating Human Trafficking, expressed their appreciation for this initiative and for the collaboration with IOM.

This initiative contributes to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 10 Reduced Inequalities, 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and 17 Partnership for the Goals. It also supports the realization of the economic dimension of Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy: Vision 2030 by enhancing the efficiency of government institutions.

Learn more about the Certificate here.

Follow this Link to read the corresponding address of IOM Egypt's Head of Office, Mr. Amr Taha.

For further information, please contact Greta Ellero at IOM Egypt. Tel: +20 109 399 3905, Email: gellero@iom.int.